The Mayors of Forbes and Parkes and council representatives met with the CEO of Western NSW Local Health District, Scott McLachlan, last week to look at actions to address the maternity needs of the region, particularly the shortage of obstetricians.

“It is clear that an interim arrangement will be needed, but only hand-in-hand with a longer-term strategy to future-proof maternity services at both hospitals,” said Mayor Ken Keith of Parkes.

“The parents of the region need to be confident that they will have a high level of care and we will not rest until this is achieved.”

Scott said this could only be achieved by working together, and in a show of good faith agreed to facilitate a meeting with key experts, including the CEO of the Rural Doctors Network, the CEO of the Primary Health Network, key health staff and the Mayors.

“We need to explore a new way to create sustainable models for regional health,” said Mayor of Forbes, Phyllis Miller.

“We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different outcome.

By working co-operatively let’s see if a new approach can be developed and modelled in our area.”

The opportunity to better utilise the hospitals’ operating theatres was also discussed. Increasing the surgery done at Parkes and Forbes would mean less people need to travel away for operations and is well worth considering.

Ken said that is was very reassuring that there was a common need to find a solution.

Scott told local media representatives last week the shortage of medical personnel was impacting the whole region with 50% of towns in NSW reliant on locums.

For the first time ever two people have won the annual astrophotography competition of the Central West Astronomical Society (CWAS).

Phil Hart of Victoria, with his evocative animation titled ‘The Moon in Motion’, shared the prize with Peter Ward of NSW with his beautiful image of the Orion Nebule called ‘Stellar Cauldron’.

Entries for this year’s eight categories came from all over Australia and were judged by world renowned astrophotographer, Dr David Malin. The categories were deep sky, wide-field, solar system, nightscapes, animated sequences (scientific and aesthetic), junior and a themed section – Memories of Apollo.

David not only assessed technical skill, but also looked for entries that captured the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

“The high quality of the images is a testament to the outstanding skills and talents of Australian astrophotographers”, said Astro- Fest organiser John Sarkissian.

The winners were presented with the David Malin Awards at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s open days for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

The competition’s exhibition was officially opened at the anniversary celebrations and will remain on show at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre for the next year. Last year’s exhibition was viewed by over 200,000 people Australia-wide.

A record number of people made the most of the beautiful weather on Sunday morning to get out and support the National Tree Day event in Parkes.

A total of 78 volunteers of all ages enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air planting  300 local native species of trees at Akuna Road.

Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers said the site was chosen to create habitat connectivity between the creek and other plantings on the road side of the new sewage plant. The species planted included wattles, hop bush and sheoak.

According to research you can grow happier by getting outside and connecting with nature. This was evident on Sunday with many happy faces around and positive comments by participants, especially the children who were very enthusiastic about planting trees and the benefits it will bring for the planet.

“I could not be happier,” said Michael, who agreed it was a fantastic fun day. Central West Lachlan Landcare Co-ordinator Marg Applebee agreed it was a fantastic morning and thanked everyone for taking part. “It is fabulous to see lots of familiar faces and some new ones.”

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL), Parkes Shire Council, Planet Ark and Toyota are in partnership to organise the local National Tree Day, which is part of Australia’s largest tree-planting and nature care event. Each year over 300,000 people take part in National Tree Day events at 3,000 sites. Since its launch in 1996, more than 21 million native trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted.

In news further away it’s been reported that the African country of Ethiopia broke the world record for the most trees planted in one day with about 350 million trees planted in a single day. This was part of a national green legacy initiative to grow four billion trees this summer by encouraging every citizen to plant at least 40 seedlings.

Parkes Elvis Festival entered the Hall of Fame last Saturday as a first for the popular event that has built up quite a collection of awards over recent years.

“Being a Hall of Fame inductee is a fantastic achievement and is a credit to all of the hard work that our amazing committee, volunteers, and Council staff put into the Festival,” said Parkes Elvis Festival Director Cathy Treasure.

“Tonight was made even more special having accepted the award with festival founders, Bob and Anne Steel. The Festival would not be at the internationally acclaimed level it is without the vision and dedication of Bob and Anne,” Cathy said.

The Parkes Elvis Festival was inducted into the Festival and Events Hall of Fame at a gala celebration at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. The Hall of Fame accolade comes off the back of three consecutive wins in the Festivals and Events category.

“This year we welcomed in excess of 27,000 people to Parkes, recorded more than 400 million media hits, and delivered around 200 individual events over the five days – and those numbers don’t seem to be slowing down,” said Parkes Shire Mayor,

Ken Keith OAM.

The Craft Corner’s annual Knit and Natter event was once again wrapped in love last Thursday with more than 30 women taking part.

Women from Parkes and Peak Hill knit and crochet hundreds of squares to create rugs. According to Craft Corner President Margaret Tanner they have been taking part in the annual Wrap with Love initiative since 2008.

“We’ve had a wonderful response from our members and just people walking in off the street with finished squares to donate,” said Margaret.

Wrap with Love, a registered charity, reaches more than 30,000 people each year in Australia and around the world.

A contingent of 20 women from Orange joined in again for encouragement and support. The group regularly meets at the Orange Library and collects all the squares from the region to send on to Sydney for further distribution in Australia and around the world.

“It is wonderful what you do for us,” said the Orange group leader Dianne Percy.

“We greatly appreciated your effort.” She said last year they ended up making 606 rugs, and hoped to get close to that number again this year.

Margaret said the efforts of everyone to help make rugs tied in beautifully with the annual Kind July campaign encouraging the community to engage in an act of kindness every day. “We have so many acts of kindness in the Craft Corner every day.”

By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes maternity unit will reopen, but based on a model that is safe and sustainable for the community.

This reassurance was given this week by Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive of Western NSW when he briefed local media.

“We will reopen the unit, but it might be a midwifery-based model as is being done all over the country and in many other first world countries.”

He said the shortage of medical personnel was impacting the whole region with 50% of towns in NSW reliant on locums.

According to Scott there are several reasons for the shortage. “General practitioners (GPs) no longer work the hours they used to as work-life balance has become important for families especially for female doctors. They are no longer prepared to be on call 24/7, and a big enough group of specialists are therefore necessary to share responsibilities.”

Hospitals are also reliant on doctors in general practice, and two of the three private practices in Parkes no longer recruit doctors to work in hospital. The ideal level to keep the maternity unit open would be to have four of each specialist.

The third reason is that the ease of locum work has become the preferred option for many doctors as opposed to running a private practice.

Sharon McKay, Director of Rural Health Services, gave the assurance that the crisis point in Parkes was not reached because of bad planning, but that locums had become harder and harder to find at a time when they had to find locums for both the obstetric and anaesthetic positions.

Scott said over the past 18 months locums had also started leap frogging prices by going to different services to chase up rates, and fewer of them were prepared to come to the Central West. He said locums were paid upwards of $3,000 per day on top of being flown in and given accommodation.

The whole of NSW is at a crisis point and it has been identified as the single biggest issue facing all health districts. “In three weeks’ time we are pulling in all medical directors and different national bodies to try and find solutions to this.”

He said they had gone down every road to try and recruit doctors to Parkes, but nothing seemed to be working. Scott and Sharon also had a health roundtable meeting with the mayors and general managers of Parkes and Forbes Shires this week, while consumer focus groups have been initiated.

“We’ve had a really good response so far from mothers and fathers to be,” said Sharon.

She said a substantial investment has also been granted to help the midwives in Parkes obtain advance skills so they can do the same manoeuvres and interventions a doctor can do, bar a C-section.

Another alternative is getting telehealth technology, which is proving to inject new life into rural hospitals, for the Parkes maternity with access to the best specialists.

According to Scott support and focus on rural health has never been bigger.” There is certainly not a lack of money. We’ve had 5% growth every year, which you will find nowhere else in the world.”

“The changes in society have had the biggest impact on all of this.”

By Maggi Barnard

PARKES LIBRARY IS ON THE MOVE!

Parkes Library is packing up and moving to Clarinda Street (next door to Discount Dave’s) for one year as the present library space undergoes extensive renovations and expansion. The Library will be closed from 5th August until 2nd September to allow the Library to relocate. The branch libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore will continue to operate as normal.

The services that will still be available are:
• On-line resources & collections
• Extended loan period
• Increased number of loan items
• Free public computer access
• Returns chute will continue to operate as normal until Saturday, 24th August.
From Monday, 26th August returns can be made at 2/250 Clarinda Street.

FREE PUBLIC COMPUTER ACCESS

During the time the Library is closed, free public computer access will be provided at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Building at 2 Cecile Street, Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 5pm.

• Computer access will be limited to 30 minutes for essential use (ie, printing, emails & research)
• Computers will not be available for recreational use
• Scanning, printing and photocopying will be available at current charges.

YOUR ONLINE LIBRARY

Remember you can access our online collection and resources, even while the Library is closed. Parkes Shire Library’s Online Catalogue provides members with convenient access to collections and resources, including eMagazines, eBooks & eAudioBooks, and online databases. Visit the Parkes Library website www.parkes. nsw.gov.au then go to My Online Library
where you can access:

• eMagazines – download the RBdigital app and login with your Library membership number.
• eMagazines and eAudioBooks – download the ePlatform app and login with your Library membership number.

Remember Library staff are available until 3rd August to help you download the app if you need.

Parkes took the lead in community transport when Neighborhood Central opened the first ever transit lounge in regional NSW last Friday.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the lounge was more than just a place to stop and have a rest.

“Transport is vital to us here,” said Board Chairperson and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton. “Community Transport enables people to live an independent and full life.

The transit lounge is wonderful and will really make a difference in our community.”

Neighbourhood Central has been providing transport services through Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin Community Transport since 1990. Last year the 135 volunteer drivers delivered 17,000 trips over a combined distance of more than 330,000 kilometres.

Community Transport was also the first to use taxi vouchers. The service has further been expanded with links with other transport services, such as TrainLink. “We have negotiated subsided rates with Regional Express Airlines to fly eligible clients to Sydney,” said Executive Officer Pam Symonds.

The Transit Lounge provides a designated, safe and welcoming space offering passengers a comfortable place to wait while interchanging with other transport services. It was proudly funded by the Transport for NSW Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme.